Rooster or Drake rehoming can be one of the most difficult things a poultry owner can do. Council laws dictate that roosters should not be kept in suburban and some town districts due to noise level.

And its not easy because...every single rooster owner who calls/emails me want their boys to go to "a good home where they will not be eaten."

​"By about 5 or 6 months of age, your boy will have found the volume control on his voice, frequently trying out level 11!"​

SANCTUARIESThere is no one place to send your cockerels/roosters and drakes away to. I'm sorry.The RSPCA does not like to receive any roosters.

When I DO hear of a sanctuary that OCCASIONALLY takes a couple, and I pass the information on, they soon become inundated with unwanted roosters. And they have a right to be angry - as I offer ideas in strictest confidence - BUT the word always gets out.

Why does it make sanctuaries angry to have so many roosters dumped on them?

The sound of 20+ roosters is a lot to live with

Roosters in their sexual prime ATTACK

Most people do not visit a sanctuary to find a rooster

Roosters will seek out the sanctuary hens and mate with them to make a even heavier burden on feed costs for extra new birds to feed.

They also wish that people who hatch would learn to take responsibility for their choice to hatch - always assume 50/50 in gender hatch rate. You need your plan in place BEFORE starting a hatching program.

How do you find these places?

Even though a sanctuary you know of may not be taking any more roosters, ask if they know of any other sanctuaries you could call.

Facebook groups are also incredibly valuable. Post a question in a local poultry group page - someone always seems to come forward with an offer. BE PREPARED TO DRIVE.

WARNING: You will receive calls from those interested in roosters/drakes for consumption. Gumtree listings are most likely to result in that kind of caller. I recommend not to ask if you want a quick sale.

PHYSICAL SALESWatch for poultry sales, especially at the beginning of the year when poultry clubs hold their annual sales day. Public are welcome to sell their birds on the day for a cage fee.

NO-SHOW BUYERSIt is a common occurrence for rooster buyers NOT to turn up. And it is heart breaking!Ensure that your buyer is genuine and get contact phone numbers - mobile and landline. Always get two.

HATCHING STAGE PREPARATIONIf you are planning on regular hatching from fertilised eggs, then source a buyer ahead of time, if possible.

On a personal note:The buyer I choose eats my unwanted birds and dispatches them humanely. My best sources come from those with strong European and Mediterranean backgrounds.

My husband and I ask questions ahead of time to ensure that our boys will not be used for cock fighting or as religious offerings. We care about our birds welfare. We distance ourselves from the boys a day or two before pick-up is due to be able to cope with them going. Pick-up is made after sunset so that the boys can easily be caught for transportation.

FINAL OPTIONNo sale? No buyer?Dispatch.

If you are not confident to carry out the dispatch, Kapowie outside of Kapunda are able to offer this service.Ph: (08) 8566 2379

The internet is full of how to make treats for your chickens and then tell us NOT to treat our chickens. There is a balance and a reason why so many chicken blogs flip between them. ​

​All poultry owners get into the habit of loving their birds and giving them treats, but treating can get out of hand...quickly.I know, because I see it in almost every backyard I visit!​Overfed hens can suffer a number of issues including fatty liver syndrome, impacted crop and nutritional deficiencies which can lead to poor health or a lack of egg laying.

​"I saw this thing on Pinterest!"Creating things like Peck Blocks are a waste of time in an Australian climate, as it assumes that there is nothing to forage (due to snow) and that the bags of feed that is bought from the fodder store is somehow inadequate (they are balanced and perfect for the average backyard flock).

The chickens are unlikely to even use a commercial peck block...or a xylophone!

​Educating poultry owners is important.What not to give is an important part of teaching people about good poultry health.We all know you are going to give your hens a treat any way, so the best treat options need to made clear.

All over Facebook, Instagram and Poultry Forums there are pictures upon pictures of people's amazing breakfast creations made up just for the hens. Unless they are nursing a bird back to full health after terrible neglect, there is no need to go to such lengths. PLEASE DON'T COPY.

A balance of grains, protein, calcium and grit are essential to the chicken's diet.This has preference above all other foods - above fruit and vegetables!

Poultry need a variety of vitamins in their daily diet, but they do not need to fruit and vegetable source balance like humans do. That is why fruit and vegetables are considered TREATS, not a main source of their diet.

Cut out the porridge - reduce the use to using it only when giving medication such as probiotics after an antibiotic treatment. Oats are not a normal part of a chicken's diet and actually not as digestible for them as it appears.

Treats should never replace their normal feed.Once or twice a week for any treats or supplements (unless otherwise advised by your Vet).

Yogurt, veggie and fruit scraps, left over pasta/rice, canned fish, a piece of bread (not a loaf) - only once or twice a week.

Ducks are different to chickens with the treats they prefer.Ducks will happily eat small snails and slugs and require their feed to be moistened - or at least their water source to be right next to their dry feed.

Chickens are NOT slug and snail eaters, in fact you would have to do a lot of disguising of them to even get hens to eat them. Likewise with wet or moist feed, chickens are more prone to issues in their gut with wet grain, even more so if it becomes moldy and smelly.

Even though bread is a firm favourite with all poultry, NEVER let bread become the usual treat. Opt for the veggie scraps first.

Is there a good time to give treats?Yes, particularly:

training them

restoring health after illness/hatching (mother hen)

during moulting season

Nutritional needs can change throughout a hen's life, extra protein sources (within reason) are a great option.Balance is key because too much protein can also have a detrimental effect on their small kidneys.Keep it to once or twice a week and you will be doing it right.

Not all of us are out to confuse you. Some bloggers just want to be popular with their audience.

General rule: if poultry don't find it in nature, they probably don't need it.

Tip #2ClothingHot wash all of your clothing and any sheets or cushion covers and throws you may have come in contact with.

Tip #3Non WashablesFor items that cannot be hot washed, seal in a large zip lock or vacuum lock storage bag - seal well and store in the sun for a few days as daylight can kill off mites (as you would for headlice).

Tip #4BedroomStrip your sheets, blankets and doona covers for a hot wash.Spray your mattress with a pyrethrum based fly spray.Then iron the bare mattress with a hot iron to kill off any remaining mites.Vacuum thoroughly and spray carpet or mats with a pyrethrum based fly spray.

Tip #5LoungeroomVacuum thoroughly and spray carpet or mats with a pyrethrum based fly spray.Pay particular attention to skirting boards for cleaning.

Tip #6Inspect your bites DAILYTake note of how many bites you have daily to see if there are any increasing bites.Try not to scratch - use Soov cream to relieve the itch.If bites become worse, ask your chemist for Lyclear cream - follow the instructions.

REPEAT IF NECESSARY

The good news is that mites are unlikely to stay on human skin for a long period of time due to regular bathing and house cleaning.

Author

You can take the girl out of the country but you can't take the country out of the girl. As an ex-Barossa gal now living in suburban Adelaide, South Australia, Janine Zschech is not only a serious chicken lady but a genuine advocate for self-sufficiency and education of children to the knowledge of gardening and animal rearing. Skills for life!